UNEF II
116 ATU formed part of Canada's commitment to UNEF II. From Defence 1974 (DND, 1975):
- On October 6, 1973, renewed hostilities broke out between Arabs and Israelis in the Middle East. On October 22, the United Nations Security Council passed a joint USA-USSR resolution calling for a ceasefire. A similar resolution, sponsored by non-aligned countries was passed on October 25, 1973, and a ceasefire was established between Israel and Egypt.
- Planning then began for formation of a United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF II) of 7,000 to be deployed in the ceasefire area. Canada and Poland were requested to provide logistics support for this force. In Early November, 1973, Canada provided a signals unit and Poland an engineer unit. Negotiations over the division of the remainder of logistics responsibilities continued in New York.
- On November 23, 1973, it was agreed that Canada would provide a supply company, a maintenance company, a postal detachment, a military police detachment, a movement control unit and an air transport unit (ATU 116) consisting of two Buffalo aircraft. These elements were all in theatre by January 1974. Poland, in addition to the engineer unit, provided a road transport company and a field hospital.
- On June 4, 1974, the United Nations requested that Canada supply a third Buffalo aircraft to augment the two already serving with the air transport unit. The government agreed and the additional aircraft went into service in the Middle East in mid-June.
- During July and August the headquarters of both UNEF and the Canadian contingent were moved east from Cairo to Ismailia on the Suez Canal.
Over the duration of UNEF II, over 11,500 Canadians completed at least 90-days service to qualify for the UNEFME Medal. At its height, up to 1,145 CF members were on duty in units that included:
- Canadian Contingent Headquarters Unit
- Logistics units
- 73 Signals Squadron
- 73 Service Battalion
- 1st Canadian Signal Regiment
- 116 Air Transportation Unit
- Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI)
Check out the following two issues of CHIMO (Newsmagazine of CCUNME):
Following photo was provided by Frank Sagal who served in the Canadian Armed Forces with both UNEF and UNDOF. He was part of the first rotation flight to UNEF (February of 74). In June of 74 when the cease fire occurred between Syria and Israel, Frank was part of the first troops into the Golan who occupied an old Syrian army base (Camp Roofless). Click on following image for full size picture. Please use your browser "Back" button to return to this page.
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